A 43-year-old Santa Barbara resident has been identified as a potential suspect responsible for stealing Santa Barbara City Council election signs, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department.
On October 21, 2024, the Santa Barbara Police Department received a report of local City Council election signs being stolen. A witness provided information that led to the resident being identified as a potential suspect, said Assistant Chief of Police Kenneth Kushner.
The witness recovered approximately two dozen campaign signs.
The investigation was referred to the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office to review for possible charges of 484 PC, theft and 496 PC, possession of stolen property.
The Santa Barbara Police Department did not identify the suspect or the specific candidate’s signs that were stolen, but confirmed the suspect is not in custody.
In a connected story, the “Campaign to Re-elect Alejandra Gutierrez” issued a press release last month stating there has been a recurrence on sign theft in Santa Barbara’s Eastside neighborhood.
Gutierrez is running to keep her current City Council member for District 1 that represents the Eastside. She is being challenged by Wendy Santamaria and Cruzito Herrera Cruz.
The Gutierrez campaign stated they ordered hundreds of yard signs and put them in yards of their supporters but have been receiving “daily phone calls, messages, and video evidence through Next Door” that the signs were being stolen and torn down while another candidate’s signs are left alone.
In September the campaign estimated approximately 400 of their 500 signs had been stolen; a theft of about $4,000.
“We welcome and celebrate democracy, debate, and conversations among neighbors about the issues that concern us all. We believe in and wholeheartedly embrace fair elections. Our campaign does not tolerate this behavior at any time. I hope all who support other candidates do so without vandalizing the homes and businesses who have chosen to support our re-election campaign. Let the best candidate win,” Alejandra Gutierrez said in a statement.
At this time is it unclear if the accusations by Gutierrez’s campaign from last month are connected to the police department’s report of a political sign theft.
This is a developing story.
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People who steal poliltical support signs are not only thieves but trying to tape shut other people’s mouths. They don’t believe in freedom of speech. Or perhaps they think the candidate they support is too weak, dishonorable or reprehensible to win in a fair race.
The signs, left or right are an eae sore and distract drivers.
RUBY – good drivers are not distracted by a few signs on the side of the road or in peoples’ yards. Should we also ban lawn decorations? People walking on sidewalks? Overly interesting shrubberies?
Signs are out of the ordinary and meant to be read.
So, no stop signs, warning signs, basically any signs then?
No just political signs which can be offensive and triggering, especially when there are bunches.
RUBY – candidate signs are not offensive, they just say the candidate’s name after “Vote for”…..
What signs are you even talking about?
Rubaiyat–yes, democracy is messy. Yes, the 1st Amendment is such a downer. Yes, let’s have autocracy in its place!
@ Sanctimonious Sacjon- Can you give us all a BREAK…? Go for a walk or ride your bike.
COAST – when you post something that is factually correct, maybe I will. In the meantime, keep trolling and lying like you do best.